New Delhi: The Gautam Buddh Nagar Police on Thursday announced the enforcement of restrictions under CrPC Section 144, including a prohibition on unauthorised public gatherings, across the district in anticipation of the Bharat Bandh called by farmers’ unions on Friday, as reported by news agency PTI. Authorities also advised commuters travelling to and from Delhi to be mindful of traffic diversions in Noida and suggested taking the metro rail service “as much as possible” to mitigate the inconvenience.
The measures were implemented in light of the planned protest marches organised by the farmers’ body Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and other unions, police said.<
STORY | Bharat Bandh on Friday: Noida police issues traffic advisory, imposes restrictions
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The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) had previously announced a Bharat Bandh on February 16, citing numerous unaddressed demands of farmers. The Noida-based Bharatiya Kisan Parishad (BKP) has also pledged support for Friday’s Bharat Bandh. “Various programs like protest demonstrations are proposed by SKM and various organisations for Friday. Hence, Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) is implemented on February 16,” police stated in a statement, PTI reported.
As per the directive, unlawful assemblies of five or more individuals, unauthorised processions, or demonstrations, including political or religious ones, are prohibited. The order also prohibits the use of private drones within one kilometre of government establishments radius and bans people from carrying sticks, rods, tridents, swords, firearms, and the like in public places.
In a traffic advisory, the police informed that intensive checks would be conducted by setting up barriers at all Noida-Delhi borders, leading to pressure on vehicular movement and diversion of traffic as necessary. “People going to Delhi please use Metro as much as possible to avoid traffic inconvenience. The arrival of all types of goods vehicles will be restricted on the route from Yamuna Expressway to Delhi via Noida-Greater Noida Expressway and from Sirsa to Surajpur via Pari Chowk. To avoid traffic inconvenience, drivers can use alternative routes to reach their destination,” the police said in its statement.
BKU leader Pawan Khatana stated that during the Bharat Bandh, farmers have been urged to suspend work for a day to push for their demands with the government. “Farmers have been asked to shun work in farms or not go to markets for any purchases tomorrow. Traders and transporters have also been exhorted to join the strike tomorrow,” Khatana said, PTI reported.
The farmers’ leader mentioned that protesters would remain in their areas and not march towards Delhi. Meanwhile, a group of traders appealed to both the protesting farmers and the government to engage in dialogue to promptly resolve the issue.
“Frequent farmer movements adversely affect everyday business activities. Citizens have to face unnecessary troubles. Everyone is suffering losses due to the closure of transport routes,” PTI quoted Sushil Kumar Jain, president of Noida’s Sector 18 Market Association, as saying. “We appeal to the government and the farmers to resolve the issues through dialogues and not by obstructing the lives of common citizens,” he added.
The BKP, which has been protesting against the local authorities functioning under the state government, declared its support for the Bharat Bandh. “All farmers will gather outside the NTPC office in Sector 24 here tomorrow to take forward this initiative,” the BKP said in a statement.
